Musical actress Park Hae-mi joins Daemul

I’m not particularly excited by this casting news itself, but it’s good to know that reports are starting to come out again on the Daemul project (finally!). Park Hae-mi joins the manhwa-adapted drama series, which has already scored two big names (and spot-on castings, imo) in Go Hyun-jung as a female president and Kwon Sang-woo as a gigolo.

It’s nice to know movement is being made on Daemul, especially after the rocky road it has traveled so far. (A refresher: Daemul was announced two years ago to quite some buzz. Lee Young-ae was courted, but she declined and Go Hyun-jung signed on. The directors changed. Projected broadcast dates were pushed back. SBS left it off the schedule entirely, then dropped it. Lead stars Go and Kwon waited around while contractually obligated to Daemul, and were prevented from picking other projects. Finally they were let go. Go did Seon-deok to great acclaim. Kwon did Cinderella Man to much less acclaim. Producers sued the stars, in my opinion using them as scapegoats, saying that they weren’t actually let go and their unavailability caused the project to tank. They made up, and re-signed both actors. Project was in talks with MBC, but was re-claimed by SBS.)

Phew.

Normally this would make me think, It’s not worth all this hassle. Sigh. Just let go and kill the project. But Daemul sounds like a great story and has the potential to be intriguing, especially with its two leads. (This is an example where I think Kwon picked well.)

As for Park Hae-mi, she plays a politician in this drama. Park is a musical actress and producer who came to mainstream popularity with the family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick, playing Jung Il-woo’s mother. More recently, she played Lee Min-ho’s mother in Personal Taste, and she’s currently acting in the musical production Kiss & Make Up, which is the first original production of her company, Hae-mi Musical Company.

July 14, 2010 at 1:28 PM

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When Lee Young Ae turns down a project, it seems the production company always seek Go Hyun Jung. I remembered Lee Young Ae turned down Seok Duk, and the role was offered to Go Hyun Jung. Of course, Go did a brillant job in Queen Seok Duk.

July 14, 2010 at 8:14 PM

UNREGISTERED

i'm just glad the two actors are back to do this drama, which sounds quite intriguing and exciting. Kwon Sang Woo is not the best actor out there, but given the right material, i think he'll do well...and this role sounds perfect for him! and him with Go Hyun Jung is even better...she's sure to act her heart out as a female Korean president...i couldn't have imagined anyone more suited for such a strong, dominating role.
here's crossing my fingers that this drama turns out great!